Identify Your Pest

HOW TO IDENTIFY AN ANT?

Ants can slip through the smallest of cracks to enter your home or business. They will leave an invisible chemical trail which alerts other ants of the path they need to take to find the food source. Treating an ant problem quickly ensures that potentially 100’s of thousands of other ants will not enter as well.

Most people understand what an ant looks like, but did you know there are over 30 different types of ants? Each type of any has different characteristics but they all have one thing in common: you don’t want them inside your home.

HOW TO IDENTIFY TERMITES?

The “silent destroyer” as they’re known, can do some serious damage to your home without any visible signs of damage. Termites diets consists of cellulose-based plant materials and regardless of the type of home, all homes provide food for termites.

Termites vary in size ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 an inch in length. Some of the kings and queens can be larger and reach up to an inch. The flying termites have 2 pairs of wings and these termites are also the reproductives.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A BED BUG?

Even single people may not be sleeping alone. Bed Bugs can hide in cracks or crevices including the seems of your mattress, sheets, baseboards and night stands. They tend to travel from room to room by living in personal belongings and luggage.

Bed bugs are oval in shape and very small- up to 5mm long. They are reddish-brown and could look swollen after a meal. Once your asleep is usually when the bed bug is more active.

HOW TO IDENTIFY FLEAS?

Fleas are little jumpers about 2.5mm long. Some people think they have wings and fly but they can jump long distances. They tend to be reddish brown with a flat looking body which makes moving throughout your dog’s fur easy.

If your pet’s skin looks like a rash, it may have fleas.

HOW TO IDENTIFY A COCKROACH?

Cockroaches can reach over 2 inches in length! Most of the larger ones live in tropical climates, so we rarely see ones that size in Missouri. They have six legs and a couple of antennae. Some types of cockroaches even have wings, but most of them aren’t very good at flying so they usually don’t.

Homes can unfortunately be a great habitat for cockroaches to live. They are nocturnal and can reproduce quickly. If you happen to see one, odds are there are many more.

HOW TO IDENTIFY SILVERFISH?

Measuring in around 12-20mm in length, these teardrop-shaped bugs can vary in color from white, brown, grey, even to a blue/silver color.

They have 3 distinct bristles toward the rear and if you have them, you likely found them in dark, damp areas such as basements, kitchens and bathrooms. While some of us humans may limit are carbohydrates, silverfish love the carbs! You may find them near food with sugars or starches even.